Why A Heretic?
Feb 21st, 2007 by Admin
I have been on a journey as of late. That journey has led me down a road that I never would have dreamed that I would ever be on. I have inadvertently challenged the system in regards to the government, and found myself in conflict with the church as well. I was baffled at the opposition I got from the church in response to my conflict with the state. I was told in so many words that I was in danger of becoming excommunicated from my local body.
Although God has granted me a lot of grace and mercy, I have been wounded. I don’t think I realized the depth of the wound until recently. I need God. He has been near, but friends have been far away. I have had to walk this road as a man alone, with only God by my side.
However, heresy is a lonely place. Heresy is not indicative of a lie. It simply means that it’s not recognized as truth. Maybe what I’ll post on this blog is not only heresy, but is also false. I am open to be wrong. I want truth. Truth’s name is Jesus. May He increase in me, and may I decrease.
Heresy is neither truth nor falsehood. Heresy is beliefs that are not accepted as sanonical by the Church. But the Church is composed of men - men who are quite capable of being wrong. Remember that the Church declared Galileo a heretic for supporting a heliocentric theory of the universe. It only took them 350 years to admit their mistake. As a student of Christian theology myself, I see more truth in many of the so-called heresies than I do in canonically accepted doctrine.
John-
First of all let me say welcome. I agree with you. Some of the churches greatest fathers were heretics in their day. One of the main men that I think about is Martin Luther. The man was influential in bringing about much needed change in the Body of Christ.
The Catholic Church, if I remember correctly, was famous for naming folks heretics, only to elevate them to sainthood years later.
While our views may be different from the mainstream church at large, I believe that it is essential for those with differing views to remain an active part of the Body. It helps reveal more fully the expression of the character of God.
Blessings!
I’ve been doing a little thinking, and maybe Heretic is not the best moniker. It’s especially not the best moniker if you look at the defintion from a Catholic point of view. However, I’m not Catholic, and want to clarify that when I refer to the word heresy it simply means this: holding views that are contrary to the popular views held by the church at large.
Maybe, I need to add more clarification here somewhere as to what irrefutable truths are not open to discussion?
Maybe a better term would be dissenter? However that too has a negative connotation.
One point that I want to make perfectly clear, is that I am open to being corrected. However, if I am going to change any position I will have to be convinced with truth and not mere opinion.
Blessings!
An Evangelical Definition of Heresy: From Church Discipline
I think the comments on liberalism and fundamentalism are extremely insightful. From my study of the scriptures one should not be excommunicated from a local fellowship for heresy defined by the third tier, but in fundamental churches, it appears as though this happens.
Blessings!
Yup, excommunicated. Totally.
Stop by again sometime and let me know what you think of my posts. I’m working on one now about a more postmodern approach to inductive Bible study. Should be interesting, hopefully I’ll have it up within a couple of days.
Jason-
Welcome. I’m hoping your comment was tongue in cheek!
Anyway, I’ll try to visit and comment on your site when I get some more time. I want to go over your posts on Romans 13.
Blessings!
Oh yes, definitely tongue in cheek.
and I replied to your comment on my earlier Romans 13 post.
liked your post on my site this morning, thanks for stopping by. if you read much of my stuff you will see that there was a big wounding that took place several months ago that many of us are working through on the “Juniper Tree,” will read more on your blog in the days to come. thanks again for interacting with us.
greg
Greg-
Welcome! Sorry! Didn’t mean to jump into the middle of a family discussion. I am currently going through the discipline process with a local body, so the topic interests me greatly! I enjoyed your post, and hope to read a little more!
Please know that I was not judging anyone, just commenting on the principles behind the issue!
Blessings!
Good morning…read your “why a Heretic”. having experienced some ‘wounding” myself I would highly recommend the book A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards if you haven’t already read it….Every Christian who has been wounded/hurt by other Christians would do well to read it…it’s a quick read (probably 1 or 2 settings depending on how wounded you are
it’s written in a story format. someone recommended it to me a couple of years ago. Grace and Peace! DM
Doug-
Welcome!
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve heard good things about that book long ago, but never really took the time to read it.
The funny thing about where I’m at right now, is that I am able to be very objective about my “wounding.” I don’t think that’s been to my credit, but to the Lord’s. Despite some of the trials I’ve walked through I am more convinced now that God is good than ever before. I wish I always had this perspective, and that others could gain it as well!
Blessings! Thanks for stopping by!
Heretic,
Thanks for the comment on my blog. I’m very curious about your site, you mention why you are a heretic in the “about” section, but no details. I’ll come back when I have more time and read up… I really look forward to it. Regardless, I’m sorry that you’ve been hurt and only hope that you cling to God all the more as a result. Don’t let His people keep you from Him. I’ll be back to catch up on your blog, promise!
sprocket-
You’re welcome. I enjoyed the link and the read of the nice loo! I encouraged a few friends to go to church there!
Today, I’m doing much better in the process. I’ve experienced a lot of grace and mercy through the whole thing. I don’t know why I’m not angry. I don’t know why I’m not bitter. I don’t know why I’m still at the same church, other than the grace of God. I’m not big enough.
Thanks for the encouragement. Despite all I’ve been through in the last 6 months, I can say today with more confidence then ever that God is good.
Blessings!
I wanted to thank you for your kind words that you posted today on my blog. I really appreciate it and I believe as you do that it is God’s timing and I just need to have patience and to believe in him.
lemons-
You’re welcome! I pray He will answer your prayer - above and beyond all that you could ever even ask or think!
I stumbled across your blog late this afternoon and have taken time to peruse some of your articles. I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have read so far, and I think that I will be adding you to my weekly reading list.
I feel a shared energy behind many of your words, especially in regards to your foundational introduction: “Why a Heretic?” I have been there, and in many ways I am still there. I am not welcome in the church I grew up in because I challenged the system. The system I challenged was not the government however. I challenged the system of the church itself -in a respectful, reasonable, and scriptural way, of course.
The wounds, if you have not yet experienced, will eventually scar over. If you hold closely to God, and are willing to continue to follow His call above all others, He will bless your walk and those scars will be as blessings.
Blessings with you always, and thank you for heeding His voice.
Very Respectfully,
Michael
Michael -
Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. I wish I could be here more, but my time hasn’t allowed it as much of late!
Blessings!
Heretic,
I came across your website doing some further research on the 501c3 corporate church. You sound exactly like me, challenging proper authority and role of government and church. I find people just do not want to hear it. I have become much of an outsider like yourself and no longer feel it is good to stay in a church that is tied in with the government. It is refreshing to see someone sharing there thoughts on this subject. I really believe that we are awakening to the reality of things and that those who are comfortable with the status quo really are not willing to consider that they have been deceived.
Jerome
P.S. Check out this video:
Government Takeover of the Church
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4096944125079342774
Jerome-
Welcome. I agree. People do not want to hear that what they’ve believed their entire lives, might not be correct.
I don’t agree however, that we should dis-associate ourselves with a church just becuase it may be tied to the government. Ignorance doesn’t mean they aren’t fellow brothers and sisters.
It all boils down to what God is saying.
Blessings!
I’m not saying we should dis-associate with people who go to a church tied to the government. I’m just saying we should go to a church that would better follow the scriptures. There are good churches out there. And the further you understand these issues the more dangerous you will realize it is to be taught by a pastor that has this mindset. Just as you might feel it’s dangerous being taught by a purpose-driven type pastor.
Jerome
Jerome -
I hear you.
Blessings!